KTR calls Telangana’s drought ‘Congress-created’, demands ₹60,000 per acre for farmers

Adilabad: BRS Working President KTR demanded that the Congress government immediately release all pending Rythu Bandhu dues, taking responsibility for the drought-like conditions prevailing across Telangana. He demanded that every farmer be paid ₹60,000 per acre, comprising the three installments of Rythu Bandhu withheld by the Congress government and the investment assistance due for the current Yasangi season. He also demanded that the government fulfil its promises to tenant farmers and agricultural labourers.

Addressing the Rythu Garjana public meeting in Adilabad, KTR said, "This is not a drought caused by nature; this is a drought created by Congress." Despite having adequate irrigation resources, Telangana farmers were facing severe distress due to the failures of the Revanth Reddy government, he alleged. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, despite experiencing nearly twice the rainfall deficit compared to Telangana, were not facing similar drought conditions, he pointed out. The Congress government could not escape responsibility by citing El Nino, he said.

Congress cheated farmers with false promises

KTR recalled that while the BRS government provided ₹10,000 per acre annually under Rythu Bandhu, Revanth Reddy promised to increase the assistance to ₹15,000. However, after coming to power, Congress failed to honour its commitment. He demanded payment of three pending installments and the current Yasangi assistance, amounting to ₹60,000 per acre.

He questioned the status of the ₹2 lakh loan waiver, tenant farmer assistance, Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa for 36,000 beneficiaries and other electoral promises. He said farmers were being forced to submit self-declarations and were even being discouraged from cultivating their own lands.

Godavari waters wasted while farmers suffer

KTR alleged that the government had failed to utilise Godavari waters despite their availability. Nearly one lakh cusecs of water was flowing downstream from the Kannepalli pump house without being lifted, he said. He criticised the government for allowing 750 TMC of water to go unused and questioned its refusal to act on retired engineers' suggestions.

Had the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy projects been properly utilised, not even one acre would have dried up, he said. He also criticised the government for neglecting the Chanaka-Korata project's canal works.

Congress and BJP jointly neglect Telangana

KTR accused the Congress government of weakening the power sector, damaging Singareni through alleged coal irregularities and failing to protect industries. He questioned the closure and dismantling of the CCI factory in Adilabad and the alleged shifting of Telangana industries to Gujarat.

He criticised the BJP-led Union Government for failing to provide national projects, medical and nursing colleges and major educational institutions to Adilabad. Calling Congress and BJP "partners in neglect", he questioned BJP leaders for not holding Revanth Reddy accountable.

BRS stands with farmers

KTR said Congress meant drought, distress and migration, while KCR's tenure represented irrigation, reservoirs and farmer welfare. He assured farmers that BRS would continue fighting for their rights and urged them to remain patient for another year.

Earlier, KTR also extended financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each to the families of five children who died in the recent fire accident at Adilabad's RIMS hospital, on behalf of BRS.